Static fluid mixing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Fluid mixing apparatus which includes a series of perforated plates retained in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, with opposite faces of each of such plates having channels which cooperate with each other and the plate perforations to repeatedly divide and sub-divide a stream of fluid and then recombine the same during its passage relative to such plates.

United States Patent 1191 Hemker Dec. 24, 1974 [5 STATIC FLUID MIXINGAPPARATUS 3,526,391 9/1970 Church ..259/4 3,623,704 11 1971 Sk b l 259 4[75] Inventor: Herman Hemke" West Chester 3,701,619 1041972 Ap pe ldoorn25914 3,782,694 1 1974 Shane... 259/4 [73] Assignee: FMC Corporation,Philadelphia, Pa.

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Jenkins [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 [21] Appl.No: 404,276 [57] ABSTRACT Fluid mixing apparatus which includes a seriesof per- [52] U.S.Cl. 259/4 rat d p s retained in -fa a t g, [51] Int. ClB01f 15/02 f igh i n p, wi h ppo i faces f each of [58] Field of SearchH 259/4, 18, 36, 60, 180, Such plates ng nnel hich oper e with 259/150;138/38 each other and the plate perforations to repeatedly divide andsub-divide a stream of fluid and then recom- [56] References Cit d binethe same during its passage relative to such UNITED STATES PATENTSplates 3,206,170 9/1965 Schippers 259/4 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I357 I5 ll 27 2| 1 1 A ////////l J /,l\ \l /l\' l l\'\l/ iL \l/ l/ l 7 A if "/1 2 \/f /i 5s I 1 e 53\ \J W --53 I 1 I F49 /ui.1., 1 1i Il\A//l\\I//|'\ l/vi I/ l/ in /////W// STATIC FLUID MIXING APPARATUS Thepresent invention is directed to an improved static fluid mixingapparatus in which a stream of fluid is repeatedly divided andsub-divided and then recombined during its passage therethrough.

Typical of a large number of prior disclosures directed to static fluidmixing devices are US. Pat. Nos. 3,051,452; 3,206,170; 3,286,992; and3,328,003. Some of these known mixing devices are inefficient, some arecomplicated in structure, others require elements of intricate design,still others are impossible or difficult to clean and/or disassembleand, generally, most are much too bulky and necessitate extensivechanges in equipment with which such devices are to be employed.Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide agenerally new or improved and more satisfactory static fluid mixingapparatus.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus for mixing fluids whichis simple and compact in construction.

Still another object is a fluid mixing apparatus formed of a series ofindividual but cooperating units which can be easily assembled anddisassembled for cleaning and/or repair and/or to vary the mixingcharacteristics of such apparatus.

A further object is the provision of a fluid mixing apparatus which isessentially free of areas at which fluid may remain stagnant and whichprovides for rapid and thorough blending of all portions of a fluidstream during its passage therethrough.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the presentinvention by an apparatus which includes a series of perforated platesretained in faceto-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, withopposite faces of each of such plates having channels which cooperatewith each other and the plate perforations or openings to repeatedlydivide and sub-divide a stream and then recombine the same during itspassage relative to such plates.

More particularly, each of the alternate plates of such series of platesare formed with a pair of spaced channels in each of the opposite facesthereof, and openings which extend therethrough and connect the channelsin one of such faces with the channels in the other of such faces. Thechannels in the one face of the respective alternate plates each serveto divide individual streams of fluid into a plurality of separate fluidflows, while the channels in the opposite face of each of such platesare each arranged to receive, through plate openings, a separate fluidflow from each of the channels in the one face and combine the same intoan individual stream of fluid.

The plates intermediate of the alternate plates are each formed with achannel in each of the opposite faces thereof and an opening extendingtherethrough and connecting the channel in one face thereof with thechannel in the other of such faces. The channel in the one face of therespective intermediate plates is arranged to receive individual streamsof fluid from a pair of channels in an adjacent alternate plate anddirect the same to the opening in such intermediate plate where they arecombined into a single stream of fluid. Upon passage through suchopening and into the channel in the other face of the respectiveintermediate plates, this single stream of fluid is divided intoindividual streams which are directed by such channel to respectivechannels of a pair of channels in an adjacent of such alternate plates.

To avoid areas of stagnant flow, the openings in each of the alternateplates connect the channels in the opposite faces thereof at their ends,and the channels in the intermediate plates are each arranged with theirends aligned with a pair of channels in an adjacent of such alternateplates.

in the preferred construction, the corresponding faces of the respectivealternate and intermediate plates are of substantially likeconfiguration, with all of the channels being substantially straight andwith the channel or channels in one face of the respective platesextending at substantially right angles to the channels in the oppositeface thereof. Further, in such preferred construction, all of the plateopenings are substantially parallel to each other and, while the openingin the respective intermediate plates may be at any location along thelength of the channels therein, for most uniform fluid blending it islocated substantially centrally of such channels. Any suitable means maybe used for delivering fluid to and away from the above described seriesof cooperating plates. However, in the preferred construction, outermostof the alternate plates are engaged in faceto-face contacting,fluid-tight relationship by similar end plates, each having an openingextending therethrough and a channel in one face thereof which containssuch opening and is arranged to communicate with the pair of channels inan adjacent of such alternate plates.

The plates of the mixer of the present invention are retained in snugface-to-face contacting relationship by any suitable means, with therespective plates being maintained in a desired orientation as by pinsor interlocking grooves and detents on adjacent plate faces.

A variety of materials may be employed in the fabrication of the mixingapparatus of the present invention, as for example, metals or plastics,depending upon such factors as the temperature conditions which suchapparatus may encounter and the character of the fluid or fluids to bemixed. The materials used must neither react with the fluid being mixednor encourage reactions between mixtures of fluids. The plates employedneed be only of such thickness as to permit the necessary channels to beformed therein yet insure that the channels in the opposite faces of therespective plates are separated by a wall of sufficient thickness as toresist the pressure exerted by the fluid undergoing mixing. Oppositefaces of the respective plates are suitably finished or polished toprovide for a fluid-tight joint between the faces of adjacent of suchplates when they are placed in snug face-to-face contact with eachother.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used as a heat exchangeremploying a heat transfer medium comprised of one or more liquids orgases. The mixing of such heat exchange medium during its flow throughthe apparatus provides for a more uniform temperature along the outersurface of such apparatus and thus provides for efficient heat transfer.Such apparatus may be used to provide an intimate blending of allportions of a single fluid, or to mix a plurality of fluids, in liquidor gaseous form. Fine particulate matter, such as pigments or shortfibers, may be carried by the fluid or fluids being mixed withoutmaterially affecting the efficiency of the mixing apparatus of thisinvention.

For a greater understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following detailed description and drawing in which FIG. 1 is avertical section taken longitudinally of the mixing apparatus of thepresent invention; and

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are side views of different plates employed in theapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mixing apparatus of the present inventionincludes a plurality of specially fabricated plates which are retainedin snug face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, as by meansof a sleeve 11 and clamping collars 13. Using, for example a spannerwrench, the collars 13 are simply threaded into the opposite ends of thesleeve 11 and snugly against the respective plate adjacent thereto and,if necessary, gaskets may be placed between the collars and suchrespective plates to minimize fluid leakage at these areas.

The alternate plates 15 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are of likeconstruction and, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each is formed with channels17 and 19 in one face 21 and channels 23 and 25 in its opposite face 27.Except for the orientation of the channels 17 and 19 at substantiallyright angles to the channels 23 and 25, all of such channels are of likeconfiguration. Openings 29, 31, 33 and 35 extend through the plate 15and connect the respective ends of the channels 17 and 19 with theadjacent ends of the channels 23 and 25.

Plates 37, located intermediate the plates 15, are also of likeconstruction and, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each is formed with achannel 39 and 41 in its respective faces 43 and 45. The channels 39 and41 are of like configuration but are disposed in intersecting, rightangle relationship and are connected substantially centrally thereof byan opening 47 which extends through such plate.

The remaining plates 49 of the apparatus shown in FIG. I serve as endplates and are of like construction, each having a recessed face 51, acentral opening 53 extending therethrough, and a channel 55 in itsopposite face 57.

In the above-described apparatus, all of the plate channels 17, 19, 23,25, 39, 41 and 55 are all of like dimensions to avoid the presence ofpressure differentials within the apparatus. Further, the plate openings29, 31, 33, 35, 47 and 53 are generally equal to the radius of thearcuate ends of the respective channels; that is, equal to one half ofthe width of such channels, so as to minimize areas at which the fluidwhich is being mixed may remain stagnant.

Assembly of above-described plates simply involves the alignment ofportions of the channels 17, 19, 23 and 25 in the alternate plates 15with portions of the channels 39 and 41 in the intermediate plates 37and the channels 55 in end plates 49. More particularly, and as shown inFIG. 1, the alternate plates 15 are each oriented with the pair ofchannels 17 and 19 in its face 21 and the pair of channels 23 and 25 inits opposite face 27 being disposed at substantially right angles to thechannels 41 and 39, respectively, in the contacting intermediate plates37, or at substantially right angles to the channels 55 in the endplates 49.

The entry of fluid which is to be mixed may be made at either end of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1 with like results being obtained. For example,upon delivery into the right end of such apparatus, a single stream offluid passing through the end plate opening 53 is divided into twoseparate streams within the end plate channel 55. Such streams travelalong the end plate channel 55 and are received centrally of therespective channels 17 and 19 in the first of the alternate plates 15.The stream entering the channel 17 is further divided into two separateflows which move in opposite direction, toward and through the openings29 and 31, and then passing into the ends of the channels 23 and 25 ofsuch alternate plate 15. Similarly, the stream entering the channel 19is also divided into two separate flows which move in oppositedirections, toward and through the openings 33 and 35, and then passinginto the ends of the channels 23 and 25.

Within the respective plate channels 23 and 25, the separate fluid flowsentering at opposite ends thereof are combined into a single stream,with the two streams thus provided being delivered to the opposite endsof the channel 39 of the contacting intermediate plate 37. Theseseparate streams are then combined into a single stream as they passthrough the opening 47 in this plate 37 and, upon entering the channel41 in such plate 37, this single stream is divided into two separatestreams. Such streams are directed to the center of the respectivechannels 17 and 19 of the second of the alternate plates 15 where theyundergo further separation as heretofore described.

The above action of dividing and subdividing of the fluid stream,alternating with the recombining of the separate flows which result, iscontinued until the separate streams in the channels 23 and 25 of thelast of the alternate plates 15 is received within the channel 55 of theleftmost end plate 49. From this channel 55 a single and well blendedfluid stream is discharged into and through the end plate opening 53.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for mixing fluids including a series of plates retained insnug face-to-face contacting, fluidtight relationship each of thealternate plates of such series of plates having a pair of spacedchannels in each of the opposite faces thereof and openings extendingtherethrough connecting the channels in one of said faces with thechannels in the other of said faces, the channels in said one face ofthe respective alternate plates each serving to divide individualstreams of fluid into a plurality of separate fluid flows, each of thechannels in said other face of the respective alternate plates arrangedto receive through openings in such plate a separate fluid flow fromeach of the channels in said one face and combine the same into anindividual stream of fluid, and each of the plates intermediate saidalternate plates having a channel in each of the opposite faces thereofand an opening extending therethrough and connecting the channel in oneof said faces with the channel in the other of said faces, the channelin said one face of the respective intermediate plates arranged toreceive individual streams of fluid from a pair of channels in anadjacent of said alternate plates and direct the same to the opening insuch intermediate plate where they are combined into a single stream offluid, the channel in said other face of the respective intermediateplates serving to divide a single stream of fluid into individualstreams and arranged to direct such individual streams to respectivechannels of a pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the openings in each of saidalternate plates connect the channels in the opposite faces thereof attheir ends.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the channels in saidintermediate plates are each arranged with their ends aligned with apair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the channels of each pair ofchannels in said alternate plates are substantially straight andparallel to each other.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the pairs of channels in theopposite faces of said alternate plates extend at substantially rightangles to each other.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the channels in the oppositefaces of said intermediate plates extend at substantially right anglesto each other.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the openings in saidalternate and intermediate plates are substantially parallel to eachother.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein corresponding faces of saidrespective alternate and intermediate plates are of substantially likeconfiguration.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the opening in each of saidintermediate plates is located substantially centrally of the channelstherein.,

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein outermost of said series ofplates are alternate plates, and further including end plates mounted inface-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship with said outermostplates, each of said end plates having an opening extending therethroughand a channel in one face thereof containing said opening and arrangedto communicate with the pair of channels in an adjacent alternate plate.

1. Apparatus for mixing fluids including a series of plates retained insnug face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship each of thealternate plates of such series of plates having a pair of spacedchannels in each of the opposite faces thereof and openings extendingtherethrough connecting the channels in one of said faces with thechannels in the other of said faces, the channels in said one face ofthe respective alternate plates each serving to divide individualstreams of fluid into a plurality of separate fluid flows, each of thechannels in said other face of the respective alternate plates arrangedto receive through openings in such plate a separate fluid flow fromeach of the channels in said one face and combine the same into anindividual stream of fluid, and each of the plates intermediate saidalternate plates having a channel in each of the opposite faces thereofand an opening extending therethrough and connecting the channel in oneof said faces with the channel in the other of said faces, the channelin said one face of the respective intermediate plates arranged toreceive individual streams of fluid from a pair of channels in anadjacent of said alternate plates and direct the same to the opening insuch intermediate plate where they are combined into a single stream offluid, the channel in said other face of the respective intermediateplates serving to divide a single stream of fluid into individualstreams and arranged to direct such individual streams to respectivechannels of a pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the openings in each of saidalternate plates connect the channels in the opposite faces thereof attheir ends.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the channels insaid intermediate plates are each arranged with their ends aligned witha pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.
 4. Apparatusas defined in claim 3 wherein the channels of each pair of channels insaid alternate plates are substantially straight and parallel to eachother.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the pairs of channelsin the opposite faces of said alternate plates extend at substantiallyright angles to each other.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 whereinthe channels in the opposite faces of said intermediate plates extend atsubstantially right angles to each other.
 7. Apparatus as defined inclaim 6 wherein the openings in said alternate and intermediate platesare substantially parallel to each other.
 8. Apparatus as defined inclaim 7 wherein corresponding faces of said respective alternate andintermediate plates are of substantially like configuration. 9.Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the opening in each of saidintermediate plates is located substantially centrally of the channelstherein.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein outermost of saidseries oF plates are alternate plates, and further including end platesmounted in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship with saidoutermost plates, each of said end plates having an opening extendingtherethrough and a channel in one face thereof containing said openingand arranged to communicate with the pair of channels in an adjacentalternate plate.